"THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"

Chapter Nine

Back in Capernaum, Jesus' ministry in Galilee continued with both forgiving and healing a paralytic (1-8). Matthew the tax collector was called to be a disciple, who invited Jesus to his home where He was questioned by the Pharisees and disciples of John (9-17). Asked by a ruler to go and raise his dead daughter, Jesus did so, healing a woman with a flow along the way (18-26). Afterward Jesus healed two blind men and a man who was both mute and demon-possessed (27-34). He then went about the region, teaching and healing, moved with compassion for the multitudes that came to Him (35-38).

POINTS TO PONDER

• Jesus' power to forgive sins
• His willingness to eat with sinners
• His compassion for the lost

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Five miracles in Capernaum of Galilee - Mt 9:1-8,18-34
   - The call of Matthew and the questions at his house - Mt 9:9-17
   - The itinerant teaching and healing in cities and villages - Mt 9:35-38
2. List the five miracles recorded in this chapter (1-8,18-34)
   - Jesus forgives and heals a paralytic
   - Jesus heals a woman with a flow of blood
   - Jesus restores a ruler's daughter to life
   - Jesus heals two blind men
   - Jesus heals a man mute and demon-possessed
3. How did Jesus demonstrate His power to forgive sins? (6)
   - By healing a paralytic
4. Who was called to be a disciple and then gave a feast at his house? (9-10)
   - Matthew, also known as Levi, author of this gospel (cf. Lk 5:27-29)
5. What two groups confronted Jesus regarding what two issues? (11-17)
   - The Pharisees, concerning eating with sinners
   - The disciples of John, concerning fasting
6. What explanation did Pharisees give for Jesus' ability to exorcise demons? (34)
   - "He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons."
7. What moved Jesus to call for prayer for more laborers? (36-38)
   - Compassion for the multitudes who were like sheep without a shepherd